AMHERST — More than 1,500 people donated to the University of Massachusetts Amherst's 36-hour online-only fund-raising campaign, raising $83,947.

This was the first such online campaign for the university. It began at noon Monday as the campus cut the cake to mark its 150th birthday celebration and ended at midnight Tuesday.

The campaign was part of the university’s overall $300 million fund-raising campaign, the largest amount the campus has sought to raise in one effort. The campaign was formally announced Sunday.

Called “UMass Rising,” the campaign actually began in a "quiet phase" Jan. 1, 2010, and has already raised more than $183 million, which includes $13 million for athletic facilities. UMass recently broke ground on a $34.5 million Football Performance Center and $28.5 million Basketball Champions Center.

The mission will conclude June 30, 2016.

A special website was created for the social media campaign, #UMassGives, that will stay live although the campaign is over, said spokesman Edward F. Blaguszewski.

In a press release, Sarah Sligo, executive director of annual giving, said, “Our alumni and friends, faculty and staff really rose to the challenge with this campaign. So many made it clear that UMass gives so much to the commonwealth and beyond, and they wanted to give something back.”

Blaguszewski said because this was the first online-only fund-raiser, they weren’t sure what to expect. Other universities have tried it. “We thought it was a good idea. We’re very pleased,” he said.

Sligo said they had been hoping for 1,500 donors and 1,533 donated. "It was very inspiring," she said. Students "hopped on board, made gifts. They did a spectacular job" raising awareness about the campaign and encouraging friends to give. She said they will definitely do this again.

A series of challenge grants were offered to campus organizations raising the most money during specific hours of #UMasswGives. UMass Permaculture won the challenges twice with $4,000 in total. The UMass Minuteman Marching Band and Women for UMass Amherst each received $2,000. UMass Amherst Foundation board members provided the challenge grant funding.